DemocratJudy Nerat of Wallace is the current state representative for the 108th District of the Michigan House of Representatives serving her first term. Rep. Judy Nerat was born Judith Kaczmarczyk to Leo and Irene Kaczmarczyk in Daggett, Michigan, located in Menominee County. Leo Kaczmarczyk was a Marine Shipyard worker in Marinette, Wisconsin and a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Union.

Judy graduated from Stephenson High School as well as the College of Beauty Culture in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She owned and operated a Hair Salon in Menominee, Michigan for over 34 years. In 2004, Judy Nerat was certified as a nursing assistant and worked at a local assisted living facility.

Nerat is married and has two children and four grandchildren. She lives in Wallace, Michigan, and belongs to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.[1]

Previous Offices Held

See "Campaign History"

Political Campaign History

Nerat was elected to the Menominee County Road Commission in 1998. In 2000, she was appointed to the Commissioners’ Committee for the County Road Association of Michigan. In 2002, she was appointed chair of the Commissioners’ Committee. Judy was elected to the County Road Association Self Insurance Fund in 2003, as one of nine directors. She was re-elected to the Road Commission in 2004.

In 2006 she announced her intention to run as a Democrat against incumbent Republican State Representative Tom Casperson in the 108th District in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Nerat easily won the Democratic Primary, but went on to lose to Casperson in the general election.

However, in 2008, Tom Casperson was unable to run for re-election due to term limits, choosing instead to run against Congressman Bart Stupak. Nerat again declared her intention to run, this time for an open seat. She narrowly defeated Janis Burgess in the Democratic Primary, winning by only 76 votes. In the November General Election, Nerat faced Republican Mike Falcon of Gladstone. Nerat won the seat with 56% of the vote. She campaigned the last three weeks leading up to the election with a fractured hip before undergoing hip replacement surgery in late October.[2]

Nerat is quoted in the 3 February 2009 Daily Press in regards to Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's announcement that the state will cease subsidizing the Upper Peninsula State Fair as saying, "I don't know where this rumor started. However, up to this point, the state has not provided any state funding to support the fair."

2008 election for State House

Judy Nerat (D), 56%

Mike Falcon (R), 44%

2008 Democratic Primary election for State House

Judy Nerat (D), 37%

Janis Burgess (D), 36%

Dennis Baldinelli (D), 17%

David Polzin (D), 10%

2006 election for State House

Tom Casperson (R), 55%

Judy Nerat (D), 45%

2006 Democratic Primary election for State House

Judy Nerat (D), 69%

David Polzin (D), 31%

Voting Record

Key votes of 2009-2010

Click below to see how this representative voted.

Super Speedway, Lawmakers voting on whether TO EXTEND A SPECIAL TAX PERK for a super speedway.

Sneak Attack, Lawmakers voting on whether to allow public schools to EXPAND THE USE OF SINKING FUND property tax spending.

Grapes of Wrath, Lawmakers voting on whether TO BAN home shipment of beer and wine to Michigan consumers.

Subsidize Manufacture of Electric Cars, Lawmakers voting on whether to authorize a refundable Michigan Business Tax credit for makers of plug-in traction battery packs used in electric cars.

Authorize Special Tax Breaks for Ethanol Gas Stations, Lawmakers voting on whether to authorize a non-refundable Michigan Business Tax credit equal to 30 percent of the costs incurred by a gas station to convert existing pumps and tanks, or acquire new ones that deliver E85 ethanol or biodiesel fuel.